Sexually Deprived Fruit Flies Drink More Alcohol

Male fruit flies that couldn't get any sex drink far more alcohol than sexually satisfied male fruit flies. Researchers say that variations in levels of a chemical called neuropeptide F explain the difference and that humans also make use of a very similar brain chemical.

Researchers at The University of California, San Francisco say
that sexually frustrated fruit flies drink more alcohol – and that the results
of their experiments might help to explain why some people drink to excess.

The Experiment

A group of male fruit flies were separated into 2 study
groups. One group of male fruit flies entered an environment full of ready to copulate
virgin female fruit flies and the other group of flies entered an environment with female fruit flies that had
already copulated and would not do so again.

After a few days, the fruit flies in both groups were given
access to two different types of food: one food mash containing alcohol and one food
mash without alcohol. Fruit flies normally enjoy consuming alcohol.

The Results

Commentary

The researchers say that compared to the sexually fulfilled
flies, the sexually deprived fruit flies had half the amount of a chemical
called neuropeptide F and that this differential likely explains why one group
preferred to drink alcohol and the other group did not.

Humans do not use neuropeptide F but we do use a very
similar substance called neuropeptide Y. Because of this, the researchers
suggest that neuropeptide levels may play a role in substance abuse and
addiction.